Chapter 24
BLADE
I’m waiting for Delilah outside the whore’s block. It’s best if I don’t invade her space any further. When I dropped her here after her visit with Imogen and Cassie, I detected her wistful expression and a sadness I can’t place.
She is going through a lot and doesn’t need me hitting on her, so I will keep a respectful distance no matter how much I hate that.
More than anything, I wish we were back in the mountains where life was simpler and we were getting closer. Now we’re oceans apart; at least it feels like that.
The door opens and I catch my breath because Delilah is the hottest woman on the planet right now.
Whoever stocked her closet needs an award because, fuck me, she’s a vision.
The sprayed on black jeans hug her curves and the pretty white top she is wearing is cut short.
She’s wearing a black leather jacket over the top, and her sneakers are the dressy kind of casual.
Her hair is long and freshly washed, and she has applied enough make-up to accentuate her beauty and not smother it.
She is beautiful and I wish like hell I could pluck up the courage to ask her to be mine.
But I can’t. She doesn’t even have a memory, and we must deal with that before she makes new ones. Life sucks, but I’m used to that, so I shrug off the wall and nod.
“Looking good, darlin’.”
She smiles, but I note her blush, and my heart tightens at how adorable she is.
“I’m a little nervous, Blade.”
Her wide eyes are filled with reluctance, and I attempt to set her mind at ease.
“You have no reason to be. I won’t leave your side, unless–”
My sentence trails off because she may not want a bodyguard in there.
“I would like that, but I don’t want to inconvenience you.” She draws in a deep breath. “I mean, you may want to catch up with your friends and well–”
“Well, nothing, darlin’. I have no woman, friends sure, but catching up with them isn’t my priority right now. You are.”
“Really.”
Her face brightens, and I swear my balls tighten and I sense a long night ahead as I try to remain impassive.
I jerk my head in the direction of the main compound.
“If you want to leave, say the word. It can be terrifying at first sight but give it time and you’ll soon relax.”
We head off down the path, and she walks close by my side.
As we approach our destination, my throat dries as her small hand slips into mine and she inches closer.
My breathing is ragged as I squeeze her hand for reassurance, that ache in my balls intensifying as my mind plays tricks on me and tells me this could work.
I pull her after me into the compound, and as we approach the doors to oblivion, I take a deep breath. Here goes nothing.
As usual, the moment the door opens, the noise hits us.
Laughing, banter, music and jeers from Reapers watching the game on the huge screens.
The light is bright and the air is thick with testosterone and pheromones, and as we push our way inside, the first person we come across is Maverick, his arm slung around his wife Sophia.
“Hey, man.”
He nods to Delilah, and Sophia flashes her a welcoming smile.
“Hey, honey. Welcome to The Rubicon.”
Delilah smiles nervously, and Maverick smirks when he notices my hand firmly in hers.
I ignore him and scan the room, searching for my brother as always, and Maverick says in his husky whisper, “Look for Sunday, he won’t be far.”
He huffs. “I wish he’d just make it official. The way those two dance around the issue is getting old.”
“You know my brother.”
I locate him and nod to Sophia, who is attempting to put Delilah at ease.
“Excuse us, darlin’, I’d like to introduce Delilah to my brother.”
“Of course.”
She smiles brightly, her gaze also lingering on our clutched hands, and I shrug off their attention. It is what it is. Nothing.
As we head through the bar, I nod at anyone who calls out but drag Delilah behind me with purpose. It’s a little overwhelming, and if we stopped at every Reaper who wants a conversation, she would be shit scared in no time.
As we reach Razor, he turns and his gaze locks on our hands, and with a slight shake of his head, he nods to Delilah.
“Hey, darlin’. It’s good to meet you.”
Sunday is behind the bar, watching with amusement and she turns to Delilah. “Well, congratulations, honey. You got a whole-assed sentence out of this guy. I’m impressed.”
She winks and holds out her hand. “I’m Sunday and I’m very pleased to meet you.”
“Delilah.”
She shifts closer, and I ache to drape my arm around her shoulders and claim her once and for all. Warning the Reapers away, stamping ownership on my girl. But she’s not. She’s a free woman, and it’s not my place to change that. Not while she’s dealing with the shit her life is right now.
Razor’s gaze flicks between us, and I note the interest in his eyes. Not for Delilah, but for the situation.
Sunday leans over the bar and says with a smile. “What can I get you, honey. I make a mean cocktail if you’re interested.”
“Sure. I’d love that.”
Sunday winks and turns to me. “What about you, Blade, usual?”
I nod, words unnecessary, and she rolls her eyes. “I bet it was a blast at your family table.”
She turns and heads to the back of the bar to mix her speciality cocktail.
Razor considers Delilah but says no words, and for once I wish he’d freaking engage in conversation because it’s making Delilah nervous.
I make his excuses. “Razor doesn’t talk much, but if he did, he would welcome you and act fucking interested.”
Razor snorts and winks at Delilah, and she visibly relaxes and smiles. “Blade told me he had an identical twin. He was right.”
“Looks only, darlin’.” I add. “I told you I got all the personality.”
“Keep telling yourself that, brother.”
Razor lifts the beer to his lips and then slams it down.
“Word is you lost your memory. That must suck.”
“It does.” Delilah sighs. “What sucks more is discovering I was married to an asshole.”
Razor chuckles, and I sense the admiration in his smile as he nods his approval.
“Then it was a blessing.”
“It probably is because I doubt my memories are good ones if I ended up marrying him in the first place.”
Sunday returns with two beers and a fruity cocktail with ice and an umbrella.
Delilah grins. “Wow, that looks amazing.”
“One for Dutch courage. You probably need it right now.”
I hate that Delilah’s hand slips from mine to claim her drink and takes a sip, her sweet lips resting against the glass, pure torture for my libido.
Sunday leans on the bar.
“I’m happy to show you how it all works here. I have a room in the same block, and you are welcome to knock on my door any hour of the day. I may not be there at night though—just saying.”
She swings her gaze to Razor, who, as usual, doesn’t respond, and Sunday rolls her eyes. “For some reason, I can’t shake this guy.”
Delilah grins as Razor shrugs. “Nothing’s stopping you, darlin’.”
I note the cloud in Sunday’s smile and the way her shoulders sag, and if I could thump some sense into my brother, I would.
He is besotted with her, and it appears it’s reciprocated, and yet he won’t make it official.
He keeps her at arm’s length, and I know why, but he will never tell her the reason.
She pulls her shoulders up and stares at him defiantly. “Well, he’ll have to find a different body to play with soon because I’m out of here shortly.”
If she had dropped a bomb, it would have been less destructive because I sense my brother tense as he shoots her a sharp look. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you, honey? I’m heading home in two weeks.
Ryder found me a place at beauty college and has arranged an apartment and everything.
I’m starting again and it’s all thanks to the Reapers, so it’s been fun while it lasted but well, I suppose that’s all it was and a girl can’t live on fun forever, you know. ”
Before he can respond, she answers a call from one of the Reapers and heads his way, and I turn to my brother who appears frozen.
“Did she tell you she was leaving?”
“No.”
I note the pulse flicker in his jaw and his fingers tense against the bottle, and then he drains it in one, slams it down on the counter and scrapes back his stool.
“I’ll catch you later.”
He says nothing and pushes his way through the room, and I notice how Sunday’s face falls as she watches him leave.
Delilah leans closer and whispers, “What just happened?”
“Usual shit, darlin’.”
My gaze trails after my brother, and I’m torn between wanting to check on him and staying with Delilah, who needs me more right now.